Outcomes of the EU Competitiveness Council in December
EU ministers approved an update to the EuroHPC JU regulation and discussed the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 programme.
On December 9, 2025, a meeting of the Competitiveness Council focused on research and space was held in Brussels. Ministers discussed the update of the EuroHPC JU Regulation and the preparation of the new Horizon Europe framework program for 2028-2034. They also discussed the EU's strategic technology priorities, the role of public-private partnerships, and strengthening European technological sovereignty. Under additional items, ministers were briefed on the development of European university alliances, investment initiatives for scale-ups, the current state of play in research security, and preparations for the Cypriot Presidency.
At the meeting, ministers unanimously adopted a common position on the amendment to the regulation governing the activities of the EuroHPC JU joint undertaking, which is a key EU instrument for building European supercomputing and quantum technology infrastructure. The adopted update will enable the creation of up to five European AI giga factories, large-scale centres combining supercomputing capacities, energy-efficient data centres, and automation based on artificial intelligence. These centres are intended to strengthen the EU's technological sovereignty and respond to the growing demand for computing resources necessary for the development and training of AI models.
The amendment also creates a separate quantum pillar within the EuroHPC JU and transfers quantum research and innovation activities from the Horizon Europe program to this joint undertaking. The expansion of the EuroHPC JU's mandate is also reflected in the amendment to the governance and rules for the participation of entities from third countries. According to Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund, the new measures represent "a significant contribution to European resilience, competitiveness, and security" and move the EU towards its ambition to build up to five AI giga factories.
These centres are to be established through public-private partnerships. The updated regulation provides clearer rules for financing and procurement, includes protective mechanisms for start-ups and scale-ups, and allows for the redirection of unused EU funds to the development of AI giga factories. The European Parliament is expected to issue its opinion on December 17, followed by the formal adoption of the legislation by the Council.
The second part of the meeting was a political discussion on the proposal for the Horizon Europe framework program for 2028-2034. Member state delegations agreed that the new program needs to simplify administrative processes and facilitate access to funding, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The states emphasised the need to clearly define the relationship between the framework program and the European Competitiveness Fund, to strengthen the transfer of research results into innovation, and to increase the mobilisation of private investment. The importance of cooperation with partner countries while maintaining European technological sovereignty and research security was also highlighted. Member States consider artificial intelligence, quantum and semiconductor technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology and life sciences, robotics, and clean energy, including fusion, to be priority areas for science and technology.
The final part of the meeting focused on the impact of European University Alliances on the European Research Area, the development of the Scale-up Europe Fund aimes to support fast-growing technology companies, current initiatives in the field of research security, and the upcoming priorities of the Cypriot Presidency in the field of research policy. During its Presidency, Cyprus will support competitiveness, innovation, and investment, including potentially in the area of research and technological infrastructure. However, the official detailed program of the Presidency has not yet been published. More information and relevant documents can be found on the Council website.